Typical partisan rant, Doug.

Let me tell you about my old boss. He is funny as hell, and has a very warm character that doesn't come off well in the 2D image you see on TV. When he laughs and smiles, it is with his whole face. It always made us crazy that it didn't transmit well on TV. And he loves good practical jokes. Let me tell you about one.

A little back story to set it up. Al Gore loves to campaign, loves to press the flesh. I have had the opportunity in my life to get to know several of the great campaigners and this is a necessary love for all of them. They love people and being around them. Tom Harkin and I spent a day travelling together and he had the same love. Those of us who direct campaigns are always amazed by the ability to go on and on and never lose the enthusiasm for meeting folks. This manifests itself with Vice President Gore by him never leaving a gathering without speaking to every person that is waiting to shake his hand, have a few words, and get a picture. And when he is speaking to folks, his gaze never leaves them, and he is listening with interest to what you say. Where this is leading is that, while it is a great testament to the man, it is mentally and physically exhausting on those of us who are staff. I am thinking of an event we did at Wayne State University during the campaign. Our day started at O dark thirty in the morning, and included several events for supporters. The days concluding event was one of Gore's favorite type of events. He asked me to get about 750 or so undecideds, Republican, Democrat and Independents, in the room. The seating was in the round. He would then take a wireless mic and go into the event and spend 2 hours fielding challenging questions and explaining his policy. I always was in awe of him doing this. He was so confident of his vision that he would jump right in and engage this crowd. And then he would stay and speak to everyone in the crowd that was waiting which was about 200 people. I was working his shoulder. That means I was taking down the names and data needed to follow up on everything he promised. Also, there was a Japanese documentary crew filming the American campaigns and was on site. They were just packing it in for the day.

Which brings me to the practical joke. The press guy, Chris, was absolutely exhausted. He collapsed in a folding chair while we were finishing up. One of the sound crews took a plastic cable tie, and snuck up behind him and tied his belt loops to the chair he was in. Then one of the campaign staff told me to let VP Gore know. He got this twinkle in his eye, and told them to go get the Japanese film crew and let them in on the joke. When they were in position, he turned around and made a big show about calling for Chris. Chris started to get up and realized he was caught. The VP makes this big production about "get over here, Chris, I need you". Then he works Chris over on camera about "see what I have to put up with". I guess you had to be there, but it was incredibly funny and lasted for 5 minutes or so. We all were laughing so hard at the look on Chris's face and the VP just playing it.

He is an honorable man. I know that this was an incredibly hard decision for him to make, but you may be sure that Tipper was ready to support her partner in whatever choice he made. She is one of the finest people I have ever met. I took my (at the time) 8 year old daughter with me when she came to Michigan for a day of campaigning in the eastern half of the state. She passed notes to her and was so wonderful that she made a huge impression on an eight year old little girl. I was so happy that Ciara got to meet her, and the new Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm. Both of these wonderful role models made a huge impression on a little girl that will affect her all the days of her life. They fawned on her and made her feel very special, for which I am greatful.

I am trying to stay out of politics these days, but I must tell you that the presence of committed and decent folks, like Vice President Gore, leave me with great optimism for the future. I am sure that there are many like this on all sides of the philosophical divide.

Just a few observances from the front lines. I am sorry for being so wordy.

All the best,

Mick